A criminal on the scaffold, with the noose around his neck, the trap about to be sprung, and receiving a pardon just at the last moment, thus giving him a new lease of life, could not have been more grateful than I was at that time.

It was useless for me to try to force the door open, as the snow had completely blockaded it, and I therefore anxiously awaited Harrington's arrival.
"Hello! Billy!" he sang out in a loud voice as he came up, he evidently being uncertain as to my being alive.
"All right, Dave," was my reply.
"Well, old boy, you're alive, are you ?" said he.
"Yes; and that's about all.

I've had a tough siege of it since you've been away, and I came pretty nearly passing in my chips.

I began to think you never would get here, as I was afraid you had been snowed under," said I.
He soon cleared away the snow from the entrance, and opening the door he came in.

I don't think there ever was a more welcome visitor than he was.
I remember that I was so glad to see him that I put my arms around his neck and hugged him for five minutes; never shall I forget faithful Dave Harrington.
"Well, Billy, my boy, I hardly expected to see you alive again," said Harrington, as soon as I had given him an opportunity to draw his breath; "I had a terrible trip of it, and I didn't think I ever would get through.